OVERVIEW: David Shapira, his wife Cindy and family move their philanthropy through the David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, which "invests in organizations and programs that demonstrate real and meaningful positive impact on the formation of strong Jewish identities and attachment to Israel for large numbers of young Jews." The foundation applies an entrepreneurial approach in its philanthropy.

BACKGROUND: David Shapira, a Pittsburgh native, attended Oberlin College and received a master's degree in economics from Stanford University. Shapira joined supermarket chain Giant Eagle in 1970, a company co-founded by his grandfather, and was later named president, CEO and chairman. Shapira stepped away from day-to-day operations of the company in 2013.

ISSUES:

EDUCATION & YOUTH: David and Cindy Shapira are on the board of governors of Hillel International. Cindy is also a trustee of Brandeis University. The Shapiras via their foundation have strongly supported Hillel International, and currently focus on an effort called Comprehensive Excellence. They are also currently focused on the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative, a program supported by the Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. It's worth noting that Shapira's late first wife Karen was active in the Jewish community and was a longtime president of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

Other grantees have included Brandeis University, Community Day School of Pittsburgh, Hebrew Charter School Center, SAR Academy and Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh.

COMMUNITY: Apart from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the family via their foundation has also supported outfits like Areivim Philanthropic Group, a "unique entrepreneurial consortium of major North American philanthropists who are committed to developing and supporting broad-reaching transformational projects and ideas that will significantly impact the next generations in Jewish life;" Jewish Funders Network; and Judaism and Democracy Alliance of North America.

ISRAEL: The Shapira Foundation's grantmaking also involves outfits that work for/in Israel. The foundation supports Onward Israel, a program for Jewish young adults. Other grantees have included American Pardes Foundation, which supports the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Israel Venture Network Tandem Fund, and Tal Torah Foundation, an educational outfit with which Shapira's daughter Deborah has been involved.

LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the Shapiras to stick with their established interest areas.